Obituaries
TOVA (GITA) YURMAN
Tova Yurman (nee Meiselman) passed away at Simkin Centre on September 24, 2019, after suffering from dementia for many years. Her husband, Sam (Shlomo) Yurman visited her daily until his death and her son, Ron was by her side day after day. She is survived by her son, Ron Yurman (Anita Wortzman), granddaughters, Lexie and Haley Yurman, sister-in-law, Hedva Yurman and her many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews in Canada and Israel.
Tova was born in 1928 in Chernovitz, Romania. Her first thirteen years she lived with her parents Chana and Aryeh Meiselman and older siblings Favel and Heny. In 1941 the Jews in her town were taken from their homes and forced into a German work camp. Her brother fled to Russia. Chana and Aryeh did not survive the march. Tova and Heny ended up in a camp in the Transnistria area. They survived their 3-year internment by knitting for the Germany army, providing them with scraps of food. In 1945, Tova and Heny were liberated. Tova had loss of vision in one eye, among other ailments. They journeyed to Chernovitz and discovered their home had been overtaken by the communist regime and Favel was not to be found. Tova traveled to Holland, as part of a group of 500 Jewish children recovering from wartime atrocities. She was a leader for the group, caring for the younger children. Tova and Heny then chose to immigrate to Israel to start a new life.
Tova learned Hebrew and served in the Israeli Air force. After the 1948 War of Independence, Tova got a job as an IBM keypunch operator for El Al airlines. In January, 1955 Sam and Tova were married and settled in Winnipeg. Tova took English lessons and worked at Great West Life. She became an integral part of the Yurman family and was described by her nieces and nephew as the “…hip, cool, fun aunt”.
Tova gave birth to Chana, named after her mother. Chana was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease and passed away at 18 months. Sam and Tova were blessed with a second child – Ron. Despite all of the past tragedies in Tova’s life, she lived to enjoy life. She was an artist who expressed herself through oil painting, pillow lace, knitting, baking and sculpting. In the late 1960’s, to Tova’s joy her brother Favel was located in Russia and emigrated to Israel with his family.
Sam, Tova and Ron moved to Israel in 1972. Many relatives and friends from Winnipeg would visit and stay at the house in Israel and experience Tova’s food, her garden and art.
By 1995, Tova had two granddaughters in Winnipeg. She and Sam flew to Winnipeg regularly to visit them. In 2005, they moved to Winnipeg full time. Tova connected with her grandchildren through art. She expressed her love through pillow lace creating designs, including an Israeli piece that she bestowed on the President of Israel, Ezer Weizman. Tova was resilient and had an unparalleled zest for life. Notwithstanding the loss of her parents, her home, and her daughter, she had a drive for life that defies explanation. She learned new languages, created art and made new friendships. There was nothing she would not do for friends and family and she was a lot of fun. This is the way we will remember her.
The family thanks the Simkin Centre (2nd floor) staff for the compassionate care provided to Tova and to Nila who was by Tova’s side caring for her daily. A graveside service was held at Shaarey Zedek cemetery on September 26, 2019. Pallbearers were Lexie Yurman, Haley Yurman, Isaac Thau, Reuben Potash, Michael Eleff and Jason Wortzman. The family also thanks Rabbi Mass for his kind words. Donations in Tova’s memory may be made to the Lexie and Haley Yurman Fund at the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
Obituaries
MARK BERNARD SCHACTER
May 12, 1946 – October 19, 2025
We are sad to announce that Mark Schacter died peacefully in Vancouver on October 19, 2025, at age 79.
He was born in Winnipeg on May 12, 1946, and moved to Vancouver at the age of 22 to seek his fortune, and lived and worked there for the rest of his life, in a number of careers. He was a raconteur, a free spirit, a sports fan, a close observer of current events, and a good friend to many, as far away as Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. He attended the Canada-Russia hockey series in Moscow in 1972, flew on the Concorde to London, and went to Rio for Carnival on a number of occasions.
He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law Brent Schacter and Sora Ludwig, nieces Miriam Stoller (Michael), Isanne Schacter, and Jennifer Schacter (Neil Rockman), grandnieces Reina and Maddie Stoller, Beatrice Schacter, and Sally Rockman, and grandnephew Jacob Rockman.
He was laid to rest in the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery near his parents on October 22, 2025. May his memory be a blessing.
Donations in his memory may be made to Yaletown House (www.yaletown.org) where he resided or to the charity of your choice.
Obituaries
GLORIA GERSHMAN
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Gloria Beatrice Gershman (née Lipchen), lived 95 remarkable years filled with love, laughter, resilience, generosity, a youthful spirit and a touch of mischief. Gloria passed away peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
She was predeceased by her parents Rose and Nathan Lipchen, her husband George Gershman in 2016 and her grandson Jesse Short-Gershman in 2014. Gloria is survived by her three children: Darryl (Diane), Shelley (David), and Stu (Niki), eight grandchildren: Rachel, Daniel (Yeraldin), Mike (Hannah), Kara, Emily, Ashley (Andy), Max, Zak, and two great-grandchildren Ari and Grayson.
Born in Winnipeg on November 27, 1929, Gloria spent her early childhood in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, before returning to Winnipeg in 1940. Gloria and George married in 1949, residing in Winnipeg until moving to Miami, Florida in 1958 and returning to Winnipeg in 1961.
Gloria attended business college and worked at the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue and Glendale Golf Course. She volunteered in the community conducting hearing tests for elementary school children.
To our family, Gloria was our biggest supporter, our safe place, our guiding voice, and our example of what it means to be strong, independent, loyal, resilient, and generous. Gloria was known for her wonderful sense of humour and occasional salty language.
Gloria’s talents included sewing, knitting, needle working, cooking, baking, gardening and bowling. The family loved her homemade cookies.
She was devoted to her grandchildren and shared a special and unique relationship with each of them. She adored every moment she spent with Ari and Grayson, who brought her joy in her later years.
Gloria was a regular with the super seniors at the local McDonalds. During the Covid pandemic, she and her friends held “parking lot gatherings” at McDonald’s, sitting in their cars, chatting through windows, laughing, and refusing to let isolation dull their spirits.
She was an unofficial counsellor and second mother for many of our friends, offering warmth, insight, honesty, and love.
Gloria cheered (sometimes colourfully) for her Winnipeg Blue Bomber and Jets, rarely missing a televised game.
Mom wanted her family to live their best lives; Mom’s memory will forever be a blessing and legacy for her loving family.
Among the many people we thank, we give a special thanks to Dr. Ify Osagie and mom’s dear health care companion Tess Barillos.
Graveside funeral was held on October 20, 2025, at the Shaarey Zedek Cemetery.
Donations in Gloria’s memory may be made to the Buddy Check for Jesse Society, supporting youth mental health in honour of her grandson: https://buddycheckforjesse.com/ donate/
Obituaries
MARC AARON COHEN
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marc Aaron Cohen on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 55, following a brave battle with cancer.
Survived by his parents Lawrence and Dolly (Reesa) Cohen, sister Michelle (Ben) Levich, nephew Seth Levich, auntie Deanna Cohen, uncle Sherv Sharagge, and many cousins.
Marc was in love with his career. He was passionate about trucking and was good at it, wearing several hats during his career. He was a dispatcher, a long haul and local trucker, and an instructor to new truckers, while working for several trucking companies including Quick Transfer, Big Freight, and Gershman Transport. Marc received numerous awards and recognitions during his career including the Elite Award for Excellence in Performance in 2014 and 2015 from Big Freight. His commitment to the trucking industry led him to be chosen for the Industry Excellence Award in 2015 from the Manitoba Trucking Association.
Marc’s second love was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Being on his motorcycle brought him so much joy. He loved playing, watching and coaching football. He was active in the Nomad Football Club. Being outdoors in any kind of weather was his favorite place to be.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Brightwater Tuxedo, Health Science Center, and St Boniface Hospital. We are grateful for the compassionate care they provided Marc.
Donations in Marc’s memory can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba Foundation. 204-787-4143.